Role-playing games or better known as RPGs, constitute one of the biggest genres in video gaming. As there are different types of RPGs, it’s challenging to rank them up. So the best we can do is, share some of our favorite RPGs with you.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim presents the player with a huge map filled with side missions, secrets, artifacts and spells. In addition to being immense, the scenario is full of content and full of things to discover. It often happens to explore just for its fun and then come across the most disparate activities: caves, ruins, words of power, and secondary missions (among which we can remember some memorable ones).
The excessive simplification of the realistic mechanics has (rightly) turned up their noses to the greatest fans of the genre. However, the customization offered by the title still manages to give a very satisfying sense of progression. Even the dive offered by exploring the lands of Skyrim alone is worth the price of the ticket.
Final Fantasy VI
Could Final Fantasy be missing from a ranking on RPGs to play absolutely? Of course not. Again, choosing a single chapter that could represent the entire series was not easy, but in the end, I chose the sixth for several reasons.
To begin with, the plot of Final Fantasy VI is one of the deepest and most exciting of the whole saga, thanks to the situations touched (the “conquest” of Doma, for example) that leave the player with an indelible memory.
And what about the characters, you say? All masterfully characterized, each with a personal growth visible throughout the adventure. To top it all off, the gameplay is one of the best in the entire series.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
One of the best known RPGs of the current generation and is a must-play for all gamers who love dark fantasy. The story of Geralt of Rivia is mature and engaging, thanks to a large number of situations that can make the player reflect on different themes. In the world of The Witcher, there is no apparent difference between good and evil, but only different shades in between that the player must interpret to make his choices.
All this also applies to the splendid side missions, always written in a masterly way and interesting to follow and play. Instead of the canonical fetch quests, The Witcher 3 offers the player real sub-plots that enhance gamer’s experience to a next level. Even in the first game area, a simple assignment to kill a ghost haunting a well hides the tragic story of a love gone wrong.
Among the merits of the title, we also see a truly wonderful open world. Riding between one village and another is an absolute pleasure, thanks to the beautiful landscapes that accompany the journey. Provided you eliminate the markers on the map, it also adds a pleasant sense of discovery when you come across caves, ruins, den of monsters, etc. The title isn’t perfect, but it deserves to be thoroughly enjoyed.
Pillars of Eternity
With one of the most profitable Kickstarter campaigns in the gaming world, the Obsidian masters have brought old-school RPG to life, introducing gameplay to audiences that hasn’t been seen in more than a decade. Pillars of Eternity is the stark Western RPG, the way longtime fans like it.
Taking on the legacy of Baldur’s Gate, the game brings back an isometric view that accompanies all combat. These are based entirely on the stats of the characters, which have a consistent influence on the outcome of each action. You have to take into account the different types of attacks and defenses and the positioning of each character. The management of the entire team is fundamental and falls entirely on the player’s hands.
Path of Exile
Some of you might think Path of Exile does not merit a place on this list. But to me, it’s one of the best RPGs out there right now. First of all, it’s free to play, unlike every other game on the list. One would not be wrong to call it a descendent of the Diablo series. One of the best features of the game is instanced gameplay. Not to say that you can’t mingle with other players, but it is only limited to encampments or when you are in a party.
You get to chose one of seven playable characters in the game, each with its own set of attributes and skills, like strength and dexterity etc. or a combination of them. The gameplay allows you to equip various items and gems to enhance your character’s attributes. The game has its own economy where you can use poe currency to buy and sell items, and this adds a little bit extra spice to the game for you business-minded folks. But overall, the game is a gem to play.